If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You will have to register for an account before you can post.

Please note that the sign up process is moderated, so once you have provided email verification it may be a day or two before your account is validated by staff, although we will get to it as soon as we can.

If you are a parent, please use your own date of birth rather than that of your child so that the registration process doesn't get held up by us needing to ask you for further details :)

It is with a heavy heart that we tell you all that our dear staff member Tonibunny, who was with SSo from the start and was a good friend to many here, passed away 26th February.

She was a wonderful friend to many members of the site. She readily shared all her knowledge and experience of scoliosis and was always willing to help and encourage anyone who reached out to her. When she wasn't sharing her experience of scoliosis, she shared her love of books, art, and music. She had a love of learning and life that was infectious.

HI EVERYONE IVE GOT OPERATION INFO FOR COURTNEY TODAY THEY ARE OPERATING AT THE END OF MARCH AT GUYS,WOULD I WOULD LIKE TO NO IS I WORK AT THE MOMENT SO IAM GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE UP WORK FOR THE NEAR FUTURE AT LEAST HAS ANYONE CLAIMED DLA FOR THERE CHILDREN OR CARERS ALLOWENCE OR IS THIS CONDITION NOT CONSIDERED SERIOUS ENOUGH TO CLAIM .OBVIOUSLY COURTNEYS HEALTH IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING SO ILL BE GIVING UP WORK REGARDLESS BUT IF YOU CAN CLAIM ANY BENEFITS THIS WOULD BE A BONUS.
SHARON COURTNEYS MUM

You can claim for care needs before a child is aged three months, but benefit will not be paid before the child reaches the age of three months unless they are paid under ‘special rules’ (see below).

You can claim for mobility needs from:

age three, if your child is unable, or virtually unable, to walk
age three, if your child is both 100% blind and 80% deaf
age three, if your child is severely mentally impaired with severe behavioural problems and qualifies for the highest rate of care component
age five, if your child needs guidance or supervision when walking out of doors

That said, the guidance implies that it&#39;s almost impossible for more or less anyone to get - it&#39;s certainly worth a visit to your local CAB and to ask them for assistance in filling out the forms, as all too much of the decision comes down to key words and key numbers. Hopefully they would also be able to advise on what other benefits may be available, although it looks like Carer&#39;s Allowance is only available if the person you are a carer for is getting certain key benefits themselves.

Hey&#33; When I had surgery my mum was off for 8 weeks&#33; Her work gave her compassionate leave, and the GP just signed her off with &#39;stress&#39;
I think she got full pay as well....but I guess what you are paid is up to the individual employer&#33;

Hi Sharon,
As a mum myself, I would be reluctant to give up my job unless I really had to.
You should be entitled to parental leave which is unpaid.I&#39;ve taken this myself when my kids were younger.You can see if it applies to you.Titch has provided the link.Some employers can be awkward about it but most aren&#39;t, provided they have enough notice.
alternatively and the best thing is to ask your GP if they&#39;d sign you off for stress, at least you&#39;d have some entitlement to money.
I know where you&#39;re coming from though and your daughter&#39;s health is of vital importance to you.
Sins

Hi
We get DLA for Cerys but she has other medical problems too. The form is pages long and it helps to have someone help fill it in&#33; I always photocopy it before I send it too just in case. I didn&#39;t have any problem with them but I&#39;ve heard lots of horror stories&#33; and cases going to appeal and tribrunals etc. I would give them a ring and they will tell you if it&#39;s worth filling the forms in. If you do get DLA then inform the tax credit people too as you get a little bit more.
It&#39;s good to hear that you have a date and it&#39;s not too far away either. Good luck with the dla. If you need anymore info let me know.
Ella x

Re: financial help

Hi Sandra, welcome to SSO

If scoliosis is your daughter's only issue then it is very unlikely that you will be able to claim DLA for her. DLA isn't awarded simply because someone has a specific condition or illness, but rather because the person has care or mobility needs due to having a disability or illness.

A teenager with a 66 degree scoliosis wouldn't usually have any care or mobility needs. If, however, your daughter also has other conditions that affect her then it may be worth applying for DLA because of those.

Hope that helps,
Toni xx

[SIZE="1"]37 years old, diagnosed with infantile idiopathic scoliosis at 6 months old with curves of 62(T) and 40(L) degrees. Casting and Milwaukee braces until surgery at 10 - ant release/pos fusion T1-T12, halo traction. Post op cast and then TLSO. Further surgery at 18 (ant release/pos fusion extended to L3 to include lumbar curve, costoplasty) and 25 (another costoplasty). Fusion extended to L4 at 33 (XLIF with 4 pedicle screws and two short rods). Pre-op curves: 76(T) and 70(L). Post-op curves: 45(T) and 35(L). Diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome aged 34; scoliosis almost certainly due to this rather than being idiopathic.[/SIZE]